Using and Interpreting Statistics in the Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciencesis designed to be paired withany undergraduate introduction to researchmethods text used by students in a varietyof disciplines. It introduces students tostatistics at the conceptual level—examining the meaning of statistics, and whyresearchers use a particular statisticaltechnique, rather than computational skills. Focusing on descriptive statistics, and some more advanced topics such as tests of significance, measures of association, and regression analysis, this brief, inexpensive text is the perfect companion to help students who have not yet taken an introductory statistics course or are confused by the statistics used in the articles they are reading.

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Brief Introduction to Research in the Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

What Is the Purpose of Research?

How Is Research Done?

Scientific Method and Hypothesis Testing

Inductive Research

Deductive Research

Research Designs

Chapter 2: Variables and Measurement

Variables and Data

Levels of Variable Measurement

Types of Relationships

Research Design and Measurement Quality

Chapter 3: How to Sample and Collect Data for Analysis

Why Use a Sample?

Probability Sampling Methods

Nonprobability Sampling Methods

Validating a Sample

Split Ballot Designs

How and Where Are Data Collected Today?

Chapter 4: Data Frequencies and Distributions

Univariate Frequencies and Relative Frequencies

Cumulative Percentages and Percentiles

Frequencies for Quantitative Data

Univariate Distributions

The Normal Distribution

Non-Normal Distribution Characteristics

Data Transformations for Dealing With Non-Normal Distributions

Bivariate Frequencies

Chapter 5: Using and Interpreting Univariate and Bivariate Visualizations

Univariate Data Visualization

Bivariate Data Visualization

Chapter 6: Central Tendency and Variability

Understanding How to Calculate and Interpret Measures of Central Tendency

Understanding How Individuals in a Distribution Vary Around a Central Tendency

Chapter 7: What Are z Scores, and Why Are They Important?

What Is a z Score?

How to Calculate a z Score

The Standard Normal Table

Working With the Standard Normal Distribution to Calculate z Scores, Raw Scores, and Percentiles

Confidence Intervals

Chapter 8: Hypothesis Testing and Statistical Significance

Null and Alternative Hypotheses

Statistical Significance

Test Statistic Distributions

Choosing a Test of Statistical Significance

The Chi-Square Test of Independence

The Independent Samples t Test

One-Way Analysis of Variance

Chapter 9: How to Measure the Relationship Between Nominal and Ordinal Variables

Choosing the Correct Measure of Association

Trying to Reduce Error (PRE Statistics)

Calculating and Interpreting Lambda

Calculating and Interpreting Gamma

Calculating and Interpreting Somers’ d

Calculating and Interpreting Kendall’s Tau-b

Interpreting PRE Statistics Overview

Chapter 10: Effect Size

Effect Size

Choosing an Effect Size

Chapter 11: How to Interpret and Report Regression Results

What Is a Regression?

Correlation

Bivariate Regression

Coefficient of Determination (r2)

Multiple Regression

Logistic Regression

Chapter 12: Indices, Typologies, and Scales

Indices, Typologies, and Scales Defined and Explained

Appendix A. The Standard Normal Table

Appendix B. Critical Values for t Statistic

Appendix C. Critical Values for Chi-Square

Appendix D. Critical Values for F Statistic

Appendix E. Glossary

About the Authors

Key features

KEY FEATURES:

Focuses on the meaning of statistics and why researchers choose particular techniques, rather than computational skills.

Coverage ranges from basic descriptive statistics to more advanced topics such as tests of significance, measures of association, and regression analysis.

An opening chapter provides a brief overview of the research process in social, behavioral, and health sciences.

Available formats

ISBN: 9781544321103

Electronic Version

Suggested Retail Price: $29.00

Bookstore Price: $23.20

ISBN: 9781526402493

Paperback

Suggested Retail Price: $36.00

Bookstore Price: $28.80

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